The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach and esophagus. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service, specifically the stress from combat in Vietnam.
The deciding factor: The Board found a private medical opinion linking the Veteran's esophageal and stomach cancer to his combat service, which raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach, adenocarcinoma of the esophagus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18155814
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18155814.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach is attributable to toxic exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to a lack of evidence linking the Veteran's metastatic adenocarcinoma to his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service in Hiroshima or Nagasaki, Japan, and a need for an opinion on whether his stomach cancer is related to service. The appellant was also asked to provide any medical records she may have.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cancer was caused by his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.